What is the Conversation Café?
The Conversation Café is a live-online English speaking group. Learners can enjoy meeting other learners from different backgrounds and cultures while talking about different weekly topics.
How can this course help me?
1. Build speaking fluency
2. Build conversation skills
3. Build vocabulary and pronunciation
Introduction to the Conversation Café (3min video)
Apply here for first two Conversation Café lessons (free)
Who is this course for?
All English learners and nationalities are welcome.
This is an English-only conversation course so it’s best for learners who already have some basic ability (eg. able to introduce themselves, talk about simple past experiences, future goals, and give basic opinions etc.). In other words, around upper-beginner (CEFR A2) level or over.
Learners are given the weekly conversation topics (and a short ‘useful vocabulary’ list) before each lesson giving them chance to prepare to speak each week (see course schedule below for topics).
When is the course? Who is the teacher? How many students are in a lesson?
Lesson timing: Every Sunday 4-4:50pm Japan Time (3am EST)
Teacher: Paul McAleese More about Paul
Lesson size: 6-20 students
Lesson format: Real-time (synchronous), online on Zoom*
*Learners need access to PC or device with a webcam & mic, and a stable internet/WIFI connection. Learners also need to have a Zoom account (it’s free)
How much do the lessons cost?
Course fee: USD$5.00/lesson (including all lesson materials and tax). The first two lessons of this course are free for new students.
Apply here for first two Conversation Café lessons (free)
What happens in the lessons?
The course is live-online (ie. in real-time, from your home using your PC/laptop webcam & mic) with a relaxed and informal content. Each weekly lesson has a different conversation topic (eg. Week 1- Travel; Week 2 – Famous people).
Each lesson starts with a short speaking warm up, then the class is divided into smaller groups of 3-4 learners (break-out rooms). The learners in each group briefly introduce themselves and are then free to talk about the weekly talking points.
To keep the conversations active, every 7-8mins the learners in each group are changed randomly into new groups and asked to continue their conversations. For the final 10min of each lesson, the class comes back together for some friendly feedback/advice/questions from the teacher.
Each lesson also introduces a new conversation skill (eg. reacting, checking information, managing topics) and some new vocabulary/idioms that are often used in speaking.
Apply here for first two Conversation Café lessons (free)
Sample lesson report (Course 1, September 26, 2021)
Feedback from students
“I like all the contents. Paul always gives some tips for the conversation to go on smoothly by giving some examples which helps students to understand easily and use some phrases in an actual situation. Having a review from the previous lesson also helps what students learned to cement in their brain!” Ayako (F, Japan)
“It’s very useful/suitable for me to communicate with foreigners.” Ken (M, Vietnam)
“I enjoy this course 🙂 As I get to know everyone, I feel more comfortable speaking in class too.” Mika (F, Japan)
“An excellent class with brilliant content. Was fantastic to meet all the students, a truly fun and interactive course with comfortable involvement. Highly recommend if you are learning English.” Darren, (M, New Zealand) (special guest in Course 3 Class 2)
Course 4 schedule
| Lesson | Date/time* | Topic | Conversation starters |
| 1 | Sun April 17, 4-4:50pm | Hometowns & countries | 1. Where is your home country and hometown? 2. Is there something your hometown is famous for? 3. Where is a country you would like to travel to in the future? 4. What activities or sports or are popular in your hometown or country? |
| 2 | Sun April 24, 4-4:50pm | Interests & free time | 1. What do you like to do in your free time? 2. What is an activity or hobby you would like to try? 3. Do you think relaxing is the best way to spend your free time? 4. Would you like to have more free time? Why? |
| 3 | Sun May 8, 4-4:50pm | Travel | See course booklet |
| 4 | Sun May 15, 4-4:50pm | Movies & TV | See course booklet |
| 5 | Sun May 22, 4-4:50pm | Food & eating out | See course booklet |
| 6 | Sun May 29, 4-4:50pm | Outdoor activities | See course booklet |
| 7 | Sun June 5, 4-4:50pm | The internet & technology | See course booklet |
| 8 | Sun June 12, 4-4:50pm | Books & music | See course booklet |
| 9 | Sun June 19, 4-4:50pm | Languages & cultures | See course booklet |
| 10 | Sun June 26, 4-4:50pm | Future goals | See course booklet |
| Sun July 3, 4-4:50pm | Back up lesson |
Scheduled start date for Course 5: Sun July 10
Apply here for first two Conversation Café lessons (free)
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